AICN interview Peter Cullen
06/09/07 07:41 PM
Quint over at AICN has interviewed the
man behind Optimus Prime. Read the
interview here. Among some of the things he said:
Peter Cullen: Yeah it’s better with Michael Bay, you know even just a couple of cars would be special… the guy is just brilliant. I mean, he really is brilliant and he’s got a vision. He had a marvelous vision for the entire beginning from conceptual… through the process. He’s responsible for so many great things, including giving Optimus Prime a sense of humor, which makes him more believable, working in the human relation situation along with the real people. Prime is actually charmingly funny. That’s a step in the right direction!
Variety: 'Transformers' aims for broad audience
06/09/07 08:04 AM
'Transformers' aims for broad
audience
Movie being sold as more than toy knockoff
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK
"Transformers" conjures up images of kiddie playthings, ever-changing alien robots that first landed in toy boxes in the 1980s.
DreamWorks and Paramount think they have something more than a kiddie pic or a nostalgic tribute -- execs feel that the pic, which launches July 3, is a four-quadrant summer joyride. The question is how to market the film to those four groups.
As director Michael Bay deadpans, "I definitely didn't make a toy movie."
The PG-13 movie is this summer's only big-budget live-action pic that is not a sequel, and boasts the imprint of action-megapic director Bay and exec producer Steven Spielberg.
The studio marketing execs are selling the movie as much more than a toy knockoff, talking up spectacular special effects, a fast-moving plot and humor.
"The push has been to defy people's expectations," says Christine Birch, DreamWorks president of marketing. "When they hear 'Transformers,' they think 'toy movie.' They think little kids. The movie is family-friendly, but that doesn't make it juvenile."
One studio exec says: "You need to get young males, which Bay can. But you also need to get younger kids, which could be more Steven. The challenge comes in trying to tell parents it's OK to bring their younger children without alienating teenagers. It still needs a 'Terminator' toughness."
Rob Moore, Paramount's president of worldwide marketing and distribution, says the movie has just that. "It has signature Michael Bay action that is visually spectacular. But the movie also has a great sense of humor. You really have a combination."
In testing, DreamWorks and Par skedded two screenings: One for kids and parents, the other for all audiences. The scores were almost identical.
Starring Shia LaBeouf and Josh Duhamel, "Transformers" would give DreamWorks and Paramount a much-needed live-action franchise.
Even before Par acquired DreamWorks, the two entities agreed to collaborate on a "Transformers" project. It's said to be a passion project for Spielberg, who was intrigued by its alien themes, and he thought Bay would be perfect to direct.
After a string of box office hits, Bay stumbled with DreamWorks' "The Island" ($36 million domestically and $125 million overseas). If "Transformers" clicks, it will be a rebound for the director and the action is said to be quintessential Bay, mirroring such pics as "Armageddon," "The Rock" and "Bad Boys."
And, at least partly due to Spielberg's mark, it's being hyped as featuring the same kind of special effects that made "Jurassic Park" work in the 1990s.
Script was penned by the team of Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who also wrote Par's upcoming "Star Trek" installment.
"Transformers" was produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Don Murphy and Tom DeSanto, who secured the film rights from Hasbro.
Article link.
Movie being sold as more than toy knockoff
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK
"Transformers" conjures up images of kiddie playthings, ever-changing alien robots that first landed in toy boxes in the 1980s.
DreamWorks and Paramount think they have something more than a kiddie pic or a nostalgic tribute -- execs feel that the pic, which launches July 3, is a four-quadrant summer joyride. The question is how to market the film to those four groups.
As director Michael Bay deadpans, "I definitely didn't make a toy movie."
The PG-13 movie is this summer's only big-budget live-action pic that is not a sequel, and boasts the imprint of action-megapic director Bay and exec producer Steven Spielberg.
The studio marketing execs are selling the movie as much more than a toy knockoff, talking up spectacular special effects, a fast-moving plot and humor.
"The push has been to defy people's expectations," says Christine Birch, DreamWorks president of marketing. "When they hear 'Transformers,' they think 'toy movie.' They think little kids. The movie is family-friendly, but that doesn't make it juvenile."
One studio exec says: "You need to get young males, which Bay can. But you also need to get younger kids, which could be more Steven. The challenge comes in trying to tell parents it's OK to bring their younger children without alienating teenagers. It still needs a 'Terminator' toughness."
Rob Moore, Paramount's president of worldwide marketing and distribution, says the movie has just that. "It has signature Michael Bay action that is visually spectacular. But the movie also has a great sense of humor. You really have a combination."
In testing, DreamWorks and Par skedded two screenings: One for kids and parents, the other for all audiences. The scores were almost identical.
Starring Shia LaBeouf and Josh Duhamel, "Transformers" would give DreamWorks and Paramount a much-needed live-action franchise.
Even before Par acquired DreamWorks, the two entities agreed to collaborate on a "Transformers" project. It's said to be a passion project for Spielberg, who was intrigued by its alien themes, and he thought Bay would be perfect to direct.
After a string of box office hits, Bay stumbled with DreamWorks' "The Island" ($36 million domestically and $125 million overseas). If "Transformers" clicks, it will be a rebound for the director and the action is said to be quintessential Bay, mirroring such pics as "Armageddon," "The Rock" and "Bad Boys."
And, at least partly due to Spielberg's mark, it's being hyped as featuring the same kind of special effects that made "Jurassic Park" work in the 1990s.
Script was penned by the team of Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who also wrote Par's upcoming "Star Trek" installment.
"Transformers" was produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Don Murphy and Tom DeSanto, who secured the film rights from Hasbro.
Article link.
Transformer's Press Kit Contest
06/08/07 09:05 PM
Nelson here...one lucky fan will be
receiving this Transformers mega-press kit.
So, what do you have to do to win this? SImple. Answer the following two (2) questions:
1. Who is your favorite Transformer
2. And why is it your favorite Transformer
E-mail your name, address, and answers to: contest@michaelbay.com
Here are the contest rules:
The contents of the Transformers press kit are:
01.- Optimus Prime Voice Changer
02.- "Optimash Prime" Mr. Potato Head figure
03.- Deluxe Class Bonecrusher
04.- Deluxe Class Swindle
05.- Optimus Prime "Battle Rig Blaster"
06.- Robot Fighters game featuring Optimus Prime and Megatron
07.- "Transformers: Ghost of Yesterday" Prequel Novel by Alan Dean Foster
08.- T-Shirt featuring Barricade's police logo
09.- Small projector toy that shines an image of Optimus Prime
10.- Transformers press kit material and CD-rom
11.- Decepticon movie logo magnet
12.- Autobot movie logo magnet
13.- Leader Class Megatron action figure
14.- Transformers 3-D Battle-Card Game sample pack
So, what do you have to do to win this? SImple. Answer the following two (2) questions:
1. Who is your favorite Transformer
2. And why is it your favorite Transformer
E-mail your name, address, and answers to: contest@michaelbay.com
Here are the contest rules:
- You must live in one of the following countries: US, UK, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, & Switzerland.
- You will have to pay for shipping and insurance through Paypal.com. You have 24 hours to pay once you are contacted (if you do not respond, your prize is void).
- The winner will be announced on this blog. You will be contacted with shipping and insurance rates info. If you are the winner and can't pay, the prize will be given to another contestant.
- There are no returns, refunds and/or cash exchanges.
- The contest ends on Friday, June 15, 2007.
The contents of the Transformers press kit are:
01.- Optimus Prime Voice Changer
02.- "Optimash Prime" Mr. Potato Head figure
03.- Deluxe Class Bonecrusher
04.- Deluxe Class Swindle
05.- Optimus Prime "Battle Rig Blaster"
06.- Robot Fighters game featuring Optimus Prime and Megatron
07.- "Transformers: Ghost of Yesterday" Prequel Novel by Alan Dean Foster
08.- T-Shirt featuring Barricade's police logo
09.- Small projector toy that shines an image of Optimus Prime
10.- Transformers press kit material and CD-rom
11.- Decepticon movie logo magnet
12.- Autobot movie logo magnet
13.- Leader Class Megatron action figure
14.- Transformers 3-D Battle-Card Game sample pack
Yahoo.com interview with Michael Bay
06/06/07 05:18 AM
Michael Bay to appear "On the Lot"
06/05/07 06:04 AM
"TRANSFORMERS" STAR SHIA LABEOUF AND
DIRECTOR MICHAEL BAY TO SERVE AS GUEST JUDGES "ON THE LOT"
TUESDAY, JUNE 5, ON FOX
Moviemaking competition series ON THE LOT will air its weekly "Film Premiere" episode this Tuesday June 5 8/7c on FOX, with "Transformers" star Shia LaBeouf ("Disturbia," "Surf's Up") and director Michael Bay ("Armageddon," "Bad Boys") serving as guest judges along with regulars Carrie Fisher and Garry Marshall.
The remaining 15 director finalists have been divided into three groups of five, and the first group - Sam Friedlander, Hilary Graham, Trever James, Shalini Kantayya and Adam Stein - will premiere their personal submission films and receive the judges' critiques. Viewers will vote for their favorite films after the show.
ON THE LOT is produced by Mark Burnett Productions, DreamWorks Television and Amblin Television. Mark Burnett and Steven Spielberg are creators and executive producers. David Goffin serves as executive producer with Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey and Conrad Riggs co-executive producers.
Link.
TUESDAY, JUNE 5, ON FOX
Moviemaking competition series ON THE LOT will air its weekly "Film Premiere" episode this Tuesday June 5 8/7c on FOX, with "Transformers" star Shia LaBeouf ("Disturbia," "Surf's Up") and director Michael Bay ("Armageddon," "Bad Boys") serving as guest judges along with regulars Carrie Fisher and Garry Marshall.
The remaining 15 director finalists have been divided into three groups of five, and the first group - Sam Friedlander, Hilary Graham, Trever James, Shalini Kantayya and Adam Stein - will premiere their personal submission films and receive the judges' critiques. Viewers will vote for their favorite films after the show.
ON THE LOT is produced by Mark Burnett Productions, DreamWorks Television and Amblin Television. Mark Burnett and Steven Spielberg are creators and executive producers. David Goffin serves as executive producer with Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey and Conrad Riggs co-executive producers.
Link.
Bay's Transformers wins MTV award
06/04/07 07:12 AM
Transformers won the MTV movie awards
for "Best Summer Movie You haven't Seen Yet."
Click to see Michael accept the award .
Click to see Michael accept the award .
Tranformers to hit US theaters on night of July 2
06/02/07 05:30 PM
Nelson here.
Just spoke to Michael and he confirmed that Transformers will open in theaters on July 3 with a special showing on the night of July 2.
Just spoke to Michael and he confirmed that Transformers will open in theaters on July 3 with a special showing on the night of July 2.